Beach Bear Scam Artist Craig Jungwirth Arrested Again

Beach Bear scam artist and potential domestic terrorist Craig Jungwirth was arrested again this week for violating the terms of his probation. Though the warrant was issued over a month ago, local law enforcement just now coordinated their efforts in the arrest. In fact, the warrant was active while he was in court in April on an unrelated matter.

While Craig Jungwirth spent nearly six months in prison for allegedly publishing ‘terroristic threats’ against the LGBT community in Wilton Manors, it does not appear to have created any urgency in the ranks of local law enforcement agencies.

“In general, when a warrant is issued attempts are made to bring the person in custody,” a spokesperson for the Broward Sheriff’s Office told SFGN. “The warrant is also added to a national database that law enforcement officers can check when coming into contact with a person.”

According to the April arrest warrant, Jungwirth violated two conditions of his probation:

He initiated contact with one of his prior victims (Nick Berry, owner of Courtyard Café and Rumors)

He failed to undergo a timely mental health assessment as ordered by the court.

We received word in April that Jungwirth contacted previous victims. This follows Jungwirth’s release from jail earlier this year after a six month correctional stint awaiting trial for his terrorism charges.

Prior to the April tip, we reported in February that Jungwirth resumed his previous criminal activities including advertising events that do not exist in order to defraud unsuspecting LGBTQ people.

Thereafter, we received tips from Wilton Manors LGBTQ residents that Jungwirth had resumed contact with Berry through new social media accounts.

Upon researching the leads provided, we confirmed Jungwirth had messaged Berry through his business social media accounts. One such incident occurred on April, 15, 2017. Aside from that, Jungwirth resumed contacting other bars, past victims, and other parties who have asked not to be named publicly out of fear of what Jungwirth could or would do should he be released again.

After several concerned citizens reached out to Jungwirth’s probation officer, she in turn contacted Berry about the violation of Jungwirth’s no-contact probation terms.

“I did not respond to him,” Berry said in an interview with SFGN. “I didn’t even try to get his probation violated. His probation officer reached out to me and I confirmed the posts.”

It’s unknown at this point what the full length of his sentence will be as he pled guilty to two second degree misdemeanors and received probation.

Tim Peacock is the Managing Editor and founder of Peacock Panache and has worked as a civil rights advocate for over twenty years. During that time he’s worn several hats including leading on campus LGBT advocacy in the University of Missouri campus system, interning with the Colorado Civil Rights Division, and volunteering at advocacy organizations. You can learn more about him at his personal website.